This is the sixth in a series of ideas for a dream wildlife deck (or porch, or patio, or balcony... you get the idea). This week, I'll be talking about container vines and shrubs for wildlife, especially wild birds.

Vines

Vines make the most use of space, and shrubs can provide cover or food

I'd like to have a trellis on one side of my "dream" deck, with vines providing cover as well as food, to some degree.

As an experiment, I'd like to try Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) in a container. I'd have to prune it every year, but it's a hardy, durable vine, even in a container. It would provide cover, but it just may grow too large for a small outdoor space. Over 30 species of bird eat the berries.

I'd also like to grow as an annual hyacinth beans (Lablab purpureus) for hummingbirds (and because it's gorgeous) combined with the ever-easy morning glory.

Shrubs

My "dream" deck would also include Hinoki False Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis') or similar evergreen for wildlife cover. Smaller birds are more likely to come if they have some sort of refuge.

Some smaller shrubs can also act as food sources. I would plant a couple of containers with Bagatelle Barberry (Berberis thunbergii var atropurpea "Bagatelle') mainly for the berries, but some for the cover as well.

The Series

1. An Introduction
2. Providing Water
3. Bird Food
4. Bird Feeders
5. Shelter
6. Vines and Shrubs to Shelter Wild Birds
7. Flowering Container Plants